AMRITSAR: The inaugural Chess Olympiad Torch Relay of the 44th Chess Olympiad, which is being held in India for the first time with the participation of chess players from 190 countries, reached Attari Border today.
The chess torch in the hands of Deep Sen Gupta, Grand Master of Chess in an open jeep, was warmed by the Punjab Government, District Administration, NIS, players, students, volunteers of Nehru Youth Center and Punjab State Chess Association. Welcomed and students of Khalsa College gave a good performance of Bhangra.
On the occasion Deputy Commissioner Harpreet Singh Sudan welcomed the torch and thanked the guests and said that the Punjab Government under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Mann should promote sports, sportspersons as well as strengthen the infrastructure for sports in the state. Is committed to He said that he hoped that Punjab was giving priority to sports from school level.
He said that Chess Torch was a new beginning for the game of Chess which was further encouraging the youth to get involved in sports.
Mr. Sudan said that it was a matter of pride for Amritsar district that the Chess Olympiad torch had reached here. He said that this torch has inspired our youth towards sports and especially chess. The Deputy Commissioner returned the torch to Deep Sen Gupta, the Grand Master of Chess, and he will leave for Kurukshetra for the next stage.
Meanwhile, Chess Grand Master Deep Sen Gupta at Attari Border encouraged the children to play chess by playing chess on a chess board with younger players. The chess Olympiad torch was then handed over to Grandmaster Deep Sen Gupta and sent to the next stage.
Mr. Jasbir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Harpreet Singh, SDM, Mr. Jasbir Singh, BSF Commandant, Mr. Manish Thapar, President Punjab Chess Association, Mr. Danish, General Secretary Amritsar Chess Association and other officials were present on the occasion.